Licensed Practical Nurse - Geriatrics and Extended Care

Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.

Duties

Open period of this announcement has been extended to 10/06/2026 *** Recruitment incentive may be authorized for eligible, highly qualified candidates! *** This position is at the Wilkes-Barre VAMC, under the direction of the RN the Licensed Practical Nurse in Geriatrics and Extended Care is technically proficient in initiating, performing, and completing assigned duties in providing care to clients. Serves as a member of a team with an assigned patient load of selected patients.The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) is responsible for patients and has considerable knowledge, experience, and skill for contracted effort and self-motivation to carry out patient care assignments. The practical nurse is accountable for all nursing care and grade requirements described. Additional duties include, but are not limited to: Demonstrates a positive image of nursing and the Medical Center and the VHA. Attends in-service programs and completes mandatory in-services/reviews. Mentors new employees to the unit. Responsible for providing Nursing Care to residents in Long Term care, dementia unit, respite, hospice, rehabilitation, transitional care and their families/significant others. Relates and interacts with patients and staff and treats internal/external customers with respect. Demonstrates a practical knowledge of human behavior, motivations, and reactions to situations in working effectively with patients, family and significant others Participates in group meetings to help patients share feelings, interact and function in accordance with the patient's treatment plan. Demonstrates constructive relationships with individual patients to elicit feelings and attitudes and to promote positive relationships, communications and socialization skills. Utilizes team building skills to work efficiently and effectively with other disciplines. Participates with the interdisciplinary team in the development, implementation and evaluation of the patient's treatment plan. Uses discretion in all confidential matters. Responds appropriately as a member of the Cardiac, Disaster, Violence, Fire Fighting, and/or Code Yellow Team. Handles assignments to other areas with professional behavior. Willingness to accept organizational changes and accepts constructive ideas for the betterment of the organization. Performs other duties as assigned. Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: 3pm - 11:30pm, with rotation to weekends and holidays Recruitment Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Recruitment incentive may be authorized for eligible, highly qualified candidates. Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience. Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements: Citizenship: Citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.) Education: Graduate of a school of practical or vocational nursing approved by the appropriate State agency and/or accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) at the time the program was completed by the applicant. Verification can be obtained from the State approving agency or the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, 61 Broadway, 33rd Floor, New York, NY 10006. Additional information may also be obtained from the NLNAC Website. Licensure: Full, active, current and unrestricted licensure as a licensed practical or vocational nurse in a State, Territory or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico) of the United States, or District of Columbia. English Language Proficiency: Licensed practical or vocational nurses appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in both spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d). Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements stated above, the following qualification criteria must be met for each grade. The candidate's qualifications must clearly demonstrate the level of competence required for the grade. GS-3: None beyond the basic requirements. GS-4: Employees may be appointed at or advanced to GS-4 if they meet any of the criteria in below: Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN; OR Graduation from an approved school (which may be waived as provided in paragraph 4 of Section C) and one year of experience that involved nursing care work in a hospital, outpatient clinic, nursing home, or other supervised medical, nursing, or patient care facility that provided a practical knowledge of human body structure and sterile techniques and procedures; OR Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration. LPNs at the GS-4 grade level perform all duties expected of employees at the GS-3 grade level; however, they are expected to exercise greater judgment, require less supervision, and to operate in accordance with all established policies, procedure, and techniques. GS-5: Completion of at least 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent. Applicants at this level must also be able to demonstrate the following KSA's: Demonstrated knowledge and ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems. Works with the RN and/or MD/DO to appropriately orient/train less experienced LPNs/LVNs and/or Nursing Assistants (NAs)/Health Technicians (HTs) in relation to acceptable standards of practice in promoting optimal patient care delivery. Provides effective education to patients and/or family members in relation to common disease processes, medication, and /or prescribed treatment regimes. Demonstrated ability to serve as a responsible member of the nursing team and interact in an appropriate manner with patients, family members, professional and other supportive personnel involved in the delivery of patient care, incorporating acceptable, established customer service standards into practice. Knowledge and skill sufficient to prepare, administer, and appropriately document actions taken specific to commonly prescrib